FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9149, 3 September 1888, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

FINAL PRACTICE FOR THE ENGLISH MATCH. [BY JASON.] On Saturday afternoon the last practice game for our " reps," before they try conclusions with the English team in the third and deciding match, took place at Potter's paddock, and resulted in a win for the Probable players by 8 points to 6. The " reps" were all present save O'Connor, Wells, and Marshall, forwards, and Mackie, threequarters, whose places were filled by Stewart, Newman, and Whyte, and Lewis respectively. The Possibles numbered sixteen, and were a strong selection. Taking the game throughout, they had the best of it, and though the score was given against them, tne last try gained by the " reps," from which a goal was kicked was a very flukey one, inasmuch as Tanfield, to all intents and purposes, steadied the ball behind his line, but being grappled, a maul followed, and be lost it. A detailed report of the play will, I think, be less interesting than remarks upon the form shown by the reps, and their antagonists. The first with whom I will deal is Luak, the fullback. As anticipated by me in my Saturday morning's notes, he was greatly in need of practice, and throughout the game showed a lamentable lack of reliability. All his idaa of collaring seemed to be to try and catch his opponent by the neck of his jersey as he ran past. Consequently four tries were got against his side, three of which he should have easily prevented. His kicking was good, but his taking the ball poor. The Selection Committee, I consider, will do well to strike his name out of the list of the final fifteen. Brown, at centre three-quarter, played well, kicking with judgment, collaring safely and gaining ground by several strong runs. If the hint re Lusk is taken, he is the man whom I should recommend as full back. Masefield, the other rep threequarter, was not as good as I have seen him. Though getting many passes, he ran but little, presumably because he found L. Meldrum was too clever at tackling. I would not blame his adopting kicking tactics, however, if he had sent the ball more frequently into touch. Except for this error of judgment he played fairly well, and I expect him to be in good form next Saturday. Lewis, playing emergency, kicked well and cleverly, but was weak at tackling and slow. Stephenson played one of those disappointing games that every now and then spoil his record. ( He was apparently in a hurry all the time, and many missed passes were the consequence. This is his weak point, but he only needs care to overcome it. A. Braund played his usual pame, a consistently good one, notwithstanding thnt Heffernan paid him particular attention. Herrold was somewhat handicapped by having a severe shaking in the early part of the game, but displayed his usual coolness and judgment, though he evidently felt the want of a fast threequarter behind him. Concerning the forwards their play was fairly good, and though the Possibles had an advantage in the scrums, they heeled out well. MoKenzie showed improved form, and played with dash instead of the sluggishness I recently complained of. Hobsonand Leckywere likewise in first-class fettle, and proved that they can play a real forwards game by good scrum work, fast following, and cool-headed dribbling. A good bit of combined play by these two gave the former a try. Gould showed chat the good work done last week was not a flash in the pan, by playing a similar sterling game. Stewart worked hard, but his old fault of picking up the ball instead of dribbling was still apparent, and he also frequently tried for catches that had better been left to his backs. Crowe is evidently not " cherry ripe," and tired visibly towards the end of the game, which was, however, about fifteen minutes longer than usual. He picked up far too much, and his runs were nearly all straight across. His passing was better meant than executed, and on one occasion was the essence of rashness. Newman going in to fill up the team, when quite out of practice, showed fairly good form, while Whyte, though not distinguishing himself, did not make any mistakes. The Possible team had as its fullback H. Kissling, who played a good game, his returns being sure and well judged. His smallness, however, precludes him from any "rep." honours. The threequarters were Ryan, L. Meldrum, and J. McCausland. The former played only fairly at first, being elow in his returns ; but as he warmed up to his work he improved greatly, and in the second spell did excellent work in both kicking, taking, running and backing up. He is too loth to part with the ball, and passes but seldom, and also collars too high. Notwithstanding these defects his game cannot be gainsaid as a brilliant one, especially when his placekicking is taken into account. L. Meldrum also showed conspicuously good form, and proved himself to be one of the surest tacklers that Auckland ever produced, while his punting was sure and always into touch, and his backing up consistent. His previous drawback—slowness of foot— seemed to me to have disappeared to a great extent, but in this I may be in error. I should nob be surprised to find that both he and Ryan are included in the final fifteen. MoCausland kicked well and made a couple of dangerous pots, but was otherwise only ordinary. Of the four halves playing, Tanfield was certain'y the best, and did splendid work, his picking up, running, and passing in offensive being equally excellent with his defensive work of tackling and punting into touch. Though not getting over the line himself, he was responsible for several of the points gained by his side. Poland's frequent mulls at taking the leather discounted what would otherwise have been a good game. Moore at centre half has not yet mastered the difficulty of knowing where his halves are, and throwing the leather so that they can catch it quickly and well. He played with determination and dash in defence. I have now come to the forward division, and again as on the previous Saturday the best were Heffernan, M. McLean, and F. Edwards, whom I rank in merit as named, though the difference between them was but slight. Heffernan showed what a fairly fast powerful man can do when in good training. His particular forte is that of being always on the ball, which is so troublesome to opposing backs, while his collaring was as sure as a bear's grip. I was pleased to hear after the match that he was ordered to start training this morning. McLean and Edwards played a similar game; but, through resolutely taking the brunt of the scrum work in the centre, were not, perhaps, so frequently conspicuous as Heffernan. Murray, Moore, and Henderson, did good honest work throughout the game, but evinced no particular brilliancy. Baxter and Clayton came out with several dashes in the open, but also had spells of dullness, particularly in the second term. Muir played a good game, following very fast and collaring well; but has his old trouble of trying to shirk scrumming, which is an evil that the practice of playing wing has doubtless led him into. Concerning the absentees, Mackie is ill, and his place is thereby jeopardised, as well as by his weak defence. O'Connor and Wells are, I am told, taking regular practice under the care of that experienced player, George Carter, and may be reckoned npon to come to the field fit. Marshall has also been training, and I hope to see him in rare fettle. Though I am decidedly averse to men being chosen on account of reputation, the sterling merits of these three, and the assurance that they are taking the requisite exercise, though absent from the practice field, will, I am sure, cause no one to cavil at their inclusion. The selection committee are to meet to-day, and when the result of their deliberations becomes known all doubts regarding the personnel of the team will be finally set at rest. Would that I could say that the doubts concerning the result of the match were also put to an end. They are, on the other hand, more than ever inclined towards our foemen, and should the local reps, manage to pull off a victory, it will be a joyful surprise to the great bulk of the public. Whether I share this popular belief or not I will not at present state. The City Guards met the Victoria Rifles on Surrey Hills on Saturday, and defeated them by the good score of 15 points to nil. Chesshire, of the Guards, was the hero of the match, scoring four tries and potting a goal from the field. Potter and Gallagher also obtained tries, and C. Walker, Craig, and J. Walker converted tries into gaols. In addition to the scorers, G. Walker and Scott played the most conspicuous game for the winners, whilst Payne, Walsh, and Simpson showed out prominently for the Victoria's. The utmost good feeling prevailed throughout.

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Chrtstchuroh, Saturday.—The folWin team has been picked to plav nry.J; W " Otago Full-back, W. BrougWn ;th quarter backs, R. Cresswell, \V. Alia!-,! ee " W. Therney; half-backs, T. Full er Mountfort; forwards, G. Dabbs W n C. Garrard, J. Evans, A. Plank '\T Vi° W ' J. Sincox, J. M. Turnbull, A. .J.' Weeke^'' Dunedin, Saturday.— following to has been selected to represent Oi against Canterbury:—Full-back, ThomL ? ° three-quarters, Lynch, Bownes, Thenar ' halves, Brodrick, Croxford ; forwards a' derson, Gibson, Hunter, Morris M gomery, Morrison (captain), SteDh<"="l" Sontag, and Tarrance. " *°° r '> Wellington, Saturday.-The final W forthe championship was played at Newt Park to-day between the Poneke T*'! Athletic Football Clubs. The match cited great interest, and in consecuer'" there was a large number of specta/' 05 The Ponekee were slightly the "favour" ites. The weather was delightful light southerly breeze blowing, 0 but ' n sufficient to give either side any' and there was also a bright sun, making' pleasant for the onlookers. In the h-'" spell there was no score, the <*ame bei very even, first one and then° the oth? side having the advantage. The seccM half started much in the same way, and i' was thought that the teams were so even] • matched a draw would result, but" towardthe middle of the spell, Muir (Ponek 1 obtained a mark in the Athletics' 25 ' an 1 the ball was placed for Mcl'ntv who kicked a fine goal amid enthusiast' cheers. From this time the AthletV worked like Trojans to redeem th'ir laurels, and on more than one occasion th Poneke goal was threatened, but no C o was made, and the referee's whistle of "T side" left the Ponekes victors by th points to nil. This is the third year in sup" cession that the Ponekes have taker. th* cup, and this season the senior team ha not had a single point scored against them" Their record in championship matches ' five wins and a draw. The Athletics have had four wins and two losses, both the latter being defeats by the Poneke team In the Junior Cup matches, St. Patrick's College beat Poneke second by four points (one potted goal and try) to nil; and We!lington second beat Oriental first by thirteen points to nil. J